Auxetic Metal Plate Support for Rollable Display Rigidity

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing flexible display devices face challenges in maintaining both flexibility and structural integrity, particularly in rollable or bendable configurations, leading to potential damage and deterioration of the display panel under external stress.

Innovation Solution

A display device design incorporating a metal plate with an auxetic structure and a support plate, along with carbon fiber or glass fiber reinforced plastic support bars, allows for flexibility and rigidity, enhancing impact resistance and maintaining surface quality during rolling or bending.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If the display device uses a flexible structure to enable rolling, then flexibility is improved, but impact resistance deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:
ImproveflexibilityVSAvoidimpact resistance
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSStrength

Solution Approach 1:

The patent employs a composite structure consisting of a flexible display module combined with a rigid support plate and metal plate. This composite construction allows the display to maintain flexibility for rolling while the rigid support structures provide impact resistance and structural integrity when the display is deployed or stored.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #40Composite materials

Solution Approach 2:

The support structure is divided into multiple components: a support plate with base part and support bars, and a separate metal plate with auxetic structure. This segmentation allows each component to perform its specific function - the support plate provides structural framework while the metal plate enhances rigidity and impact resistance.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

2Strength

If the display device uses a rigid structure to improve impact resistance, then strength is improved, but flexibility deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveimpact resistanceVSAvoidflexibility
Core Design Contradiction:
StrengthVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The rigid support structures (support plate and metal plate) are strategically positioned only where needed - beneath the flexible display module - to provide impact resistance without constraining the display's ability to roll. The auxetic structure in the metal plate specifically provides rigidity in the planar direction while allowing bending along the rolling axis.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

3Strength

If the display device uses a thick support plate to improve rigidity, then strength is improved, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
ImproverigidityVSAvoidstructure complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
StrengthVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The support structure is segmented into a support plate with integrated base part and support bars, eliminating the need for additional reinforcing components. This segmentation allows the structure to achieve high rigidity through its geometric configuration rather than increasing overall thickness or adding complex bracing elements.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

4Manufacturing precision

If the display device uses a patterned metal plate with auxetic structure to maintain surface quality when rolled, then surface finish is improved, but manufacturing precision requirements increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesurface qualityVSAvoidmanufacturing difficulty
Core Design Contradiction:
Manufacturing precisionVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The metal plate incorporates an auxetic structure with specific geometric parameters (negative Poisson's ratio) that fundamentally changes its mechanical behavior. This parameter change allows the plate to maintain surface quality during rolling through its inherent structural properties rather than requiring precision control of rolling forces or temperatures.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

Applied Scientific Principles

This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.

Function Achieved in This Case

The design secures flexibility and rigidity simultaneously, protecting the display panel from external shocks and maintaining surface quality, even with repeated rolling or bending.

Implementation Method 1

The metal plate may include an auxetic structure having a negative Poisson's ratio

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectAuxetic structure: Auxetic Structures

Data Source

PatentEP4564128B1Display device and electronic device including the same
Publication Date: 2026.05.13 SAMSUNG DISPLAY CO LTD
  • EP4564128B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP4564128B1 patent drawingFigure 2~3
  • EP4564128B1 patent drawingFigure 4

AI summary

A display device includes a display module having flexibility, a metal plate under the display module and patterned, and a support plate under the metal plate and including a base part, and support bars surrounded by the base part and extending in a direction parallel to the display module.